India’s Nuclear Power Corporation (NPCIL) has issued an RFP for setting up 220MW Bharat small reactors by industries.
In the RFP, which is open to Indian industries, the Corporation points to these reactors as providing a sustainable solution for the decarbonisation of hard to abate industries.
In addition they would help these industries to secure the economic benefits resulting from savings in carbon emission related taxes, thus increasing the competitiveness of their products in the global markets, the statement reads.
It adds their “impeccable safety and excellent performance record” and compactness and tailoring for captive use.
India’s Bharat small reactors under development by India’s Atomic Energy Commission and Tata Consulting Engineers are a redesigned version of India’s 220MW pressurised heavy water reactor, which has been in operation since the early 1980s.
The plan for the government to partner with the private sector to set up a fleet of Bharat small reactors was announced by India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her 2024-2025 budget speech in July 2024, along with establishment of an R&D programme on Bharat small modular reactors.
Reports suggest that up to 50 Bharat small reactors could be deployed in the coming decade.
The main focus of the redesign is understood to be the addition of a metallic liner system in order to reduce the surrounding exclusion zone to enable them to be installed on industrial sites and the enhancement of the control systems.
Currently the exclusion zone radius is 1km from the centre of the reactors, requiring an area of land for a twin unit Bharat small reactor of around 331ha but if reduced to 0.5km would reduce the land requirement to 87ha, with additional land required for a water reservoir and pump house.
ANEEL fuel
There also is the likelihood that the reactors could use the new advanced thorium-based ANEEL fuel under development by Clean Core Thorium Energy, following December’s partnership of India’s NTPC with the US-based company to explore its development and deployment in pressurised heavy water reactors.
The ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) fuel combines thorium with small amounts of enriched uranium, with expected benefits including greater energy output and thus lowering the operating costs and significant reductions in nuclear waste.
From India’s perspective the advance of ANEEL would also enhance its energy security, with thorium domestically available, and the partnership also intends to explore the development of ANEEL and HALEU (high assay low enriched uranium) supply chains.
The proposed Bharat small reactors are aimed primarily for individual users but subject to certain conditions they will be able to sell electricity on to other parties.
Once completed, the small reactors will be transferred to the NPCIL for operation.
Under the RFP, proposals are due by the end of March, with qualified users due to be declared within 90 days thereafter, i.e. by the end of June.
